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Penticton Council Highlights

October 7, 2013

The following is a snapshot of what transpired during the Oct. 7, 2013 meeting of Penticton Council.

Fire Prevention Week

Penticton
Fire Chief Wayne Williams presented Council with a video and information about
Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is “Prevent kitchen fires.” Cooking
safety is paramount, as research shows that the kitchen is the location where
more fires ignite, more so than any other room of the house. Chief Williams
outlined the department's activities to increase awareness and education during
the week, including a travelling school production relating to fire safety.

2014 Performing Arts B.C. Festival

Lorna
Bull, Director of Performing Arts B.C., provided Council with an overview of
the 2014 Performing Arts B.C. Festival, which is set to be held in Penticton. Performing
Arts B.C. and Penticton Kiwanis Music Festival Provincial Host Committee
anticipates more than 1,000 youth and adults to the region and over $660,000 to
the community in economic activity. Concerts and competitions will be open to
the public, and 25% of funds raised will go toward a legacy fund to support the
Penticton Kiwanis Music Festival.

Tax exemptions considered

Council
considered a schedule of permissive tax exemptions for non-profit and community
groups. According to the Community Charter, before Oct. 31 of any year, Council
may exempt land or improvements from taxation by way of bylaw. The Permissive
Tax Exemption Policy endorsed by Council requires applicants to provide
financial information and proof the organization is in good standing with the
Society Act.

Council
approved Schedule A and Schedule B, which allowed for 100 percent permissive
tax exemptions allowable for those organizations that qualify.

Liquor service hours

Council received a report
that indicated Opal Nightclub at 535 Main St. would be seeking a permanent
change in hours from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Sunday, to noon to 3 a.m.
Monday to Sunday. Council directed staff to proceed with the public
consultation process and report back to Council at the Nov. 4 meeting.

Tax revitalization agreements

Penticton
Council endorsed the tax exemption agreements with Churchill Iron Plaza
Penticton Inc. for 250 Winnipeg Street (Landmark Cinemas) and MCTAFT Properties
Ltd. for 1704 Government Street (Britco). The two projects are eligible for tax
incentives commencing in 2014 in accordance with the Community Charter and
economic investment zones bylaw.

The
Landmark Cinemas site is eligible for “key land use” incentives to receive a
three-year tax holiday on both land and improvements, followed by a two-year tax
holiday on new improvements. The Britco site will receive a five-year tax
holiday on taxes payable on improvements for a new paint booth.

Bylaw amendments

Penticton
Council passed the first three readings of amendments to the Irrigation, Sewer
and Water Amendment Bylaw to include the area known as Sendero Canyon subdivision
to the treated water and sanitary sewer areas.

Property remediation

Penticton
Council declared the
property located at 2379 Wiltse Dr. a hazard in accordance with Section 73 of
the Community Charter, and required remedial action to structurally assess and
complete any necessary structural repairs or replacement to the wall and repair
any damage to the adjacent properties during the course of remedial works.

Council authorized staff to take all appropriate
actions in accordance with the Community Charter to ensure the property is brought
into compliance with the remedial action. Council
directed staff to notify the
registered property owner who will be given an opportunity to speak at the Oct.
21 meeting.

Energy Retrofit Loan Program

Penticton Council approved amendments to the 2013
Electric Utility budget to provide an addition $203,000 to fund loans for the
Energy Retrofit Program. The Energy Retrofit Loan Program was officially
launched on Sept. 12 at the FortisBC Energy Diet open house, with follow-up at
the Saturday Market on Sept. 28.

To date staff has received requests from 32 homeowners,
which exceeds the program's capacity. City staff recommended accelerating the
program allowances to expedite local energy retrofits, with funds coming from
the electrical reserve.

Memorial Arena roof

The
Penticton Memorial Arena was built in 1951 and is considered by many to be an
icon of the City. It continues to serve as a very important ice surface for
local minor hockey teams, the Okanagan Hockey School and many recreational leagues.

In
recent years, there have been increasing leaking problems with the roof, and
previous estimates for a full roof replacement or repair have ranged from $1.2
million to as high as $1.7 million. During the 2013 capital budgeting process, Council
approved $30,000 in the annual Facilities capital budget for an assessment on
the roofing conditions, as well as a structural condition assessment of the
roof, to provide the necessary detail to include in a request for quotes for
repair and/or replacement. The assessment found the replacement of grommets and
silicon injection were recommended for the 2013 repairs for a total of $40,000.
The assessment also found that repairs over time were anticipated to be
$569,000 to extend the lifespan of the roof for 25 years.

Penticton
Council approved the reallocation of capital funds to conduct Memorial Arena
roof repairs from the savings resulting from other facilities' roof repairs,
and the partial reallocation of funds from the rooftop unit replacement.

Recreation pricing

Penticton
Council agreed to continue the current fees and charges structure for
Recreation and the Penticton Community Centre. Council also directed staff to
work with the RDOS in researching and developing a sub-regional funding model
that supports recreation.

City Hall renovations

Penticton
Council received an update on the upcoming City Hall renovations, which would
see services with direct customer impact located on the main floor and create a
“one-stop shop” for City customers. Support services are planned for the second
floor. The timeline is anticipated for the fall of 2013.

Vending fees

Penticton
Council approved relocating the park, beach and street vending fee rate
schedules to Fees and Charges Bylaw Section D – Parks, Recreation and Culture
to more accurately reflect area of responsibility and customer service for
those programs.

Council
also directed staff to prepare an amendment to the bylaw to include the new
seasonal, annual and multi-year fees and permit structure for 2014 and 2015 park,
beach and street vending permits.

Zoning amendment abandoned

Penticton
Council closed and abandoned a zoning amendment bylaw for 601 Winnipeg St. The
bylaw was last seen by Council over two years ago and the conditions of the
final reading have not been completed. According to the City's procedures,
bylaws that have not completed the requirements after a two-year period are
deemed stale-dated and rescinded.

By-election summary

Penticton
Council received the By-Election 2013 summary report dated October 7, 2013 from
the Chief Election Officer. The Local Government Act states that the Chief
Election Officer must submit a report of the election results within 30 days
after the declaration of official results. A ballot account was presented, and
a recap outlined how 23 requests were made for mail-in ballots, mobile polls
were held at the Village by the Station and the Penticton Regional Hospital and
144 residents registered at the time of voting. The shuttle service ran from 8
a.m. to 7 p.m., for a cost of $1,000. Eight voters used the shuttle service. In
total, the number of eligible voters for the City of Penticton was 25,768 and
14.56% of residents voted in the by-election.

To
date of the report, the 2013 by-election expenses received total $27,700. Some
remaining invoices are required to completely finalize the costs.

City advisory committees

Penticton
Council approved the appointments for City advisory committees and Council
liaisons for external organizations. Penticton Council also appointed Mayor
Garry Litke to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen new regional
protocol committee with First Nations. Council also directed staff to amend all
City committee terms of reference to include one Council appointee and one
Council alternate.

The
following are the advisory committee appointments:

Agriculture
Advisory Committee: Coun. Wes Hopkin

Airport
Select Committee: Mayor Garry Litke

Arts
& Culture Advisory Committee: Coun. Judy Sentes

Climate
Action Advisory Committee: Mayor Garry Litke

Community
& Business Development Advisory Committee: Coun. Andrew Jakubeit

Development
Services Advisory Committee: Coun. John Vassilaki

Downtown
Revitalization Select Committee: Coun. Judy Sentes

Fiscal
Review Advisory Committee: Coun. Helena Konanz

Heritage
& Museum Advisory Committee: Coun. Wes Hopkin

Penticton
Creek Restoration Select Committee: Coun. John Vassilaki

Protective
Services Advisory Committee: Coun. Katie Robinson

SOEC
Select Committee: Coun. Andrew Jakubeit

Transportation
Advisory Committee: Coun. Katie Robinson

Waterfront
Enhancement Select Committee: Coun. Helena Konanz

Waterfront
Oversight Committee: Mayor Garry Litke

Commercial business rezoning

Following
a public hearing, Penticton Council adopted a zoning amendment for 380 and 360
Westminster Ave. West that would allow for the renovation of an existing
commercial business including the addition of a residential unit on the ground
floor.

Business development park area
amendment

Following a public hearing, Penticton
Council adopted the Official Community Plan amendments to the exemptions
section of Section 6.8 business park development permit area that would
increase the size of buildings. The change affords development permit
exemptions from 100 square metres and 20% of principal building to 350 square
metres and 40% of the principal building to better reflect the true intent of
the exemption and to offer incentives investment in the business park area of
the city.

Cherry Lane Mall liquor store

Penticton Council gave
second and third readings to a bylaw to amend the land use contract bylaw for
2111 Main St. that would allow for the construction of a liquor store situated
next to the existing gas bar.
Council Highlights are written by communications staff at the City of Penticton. A PDF version [PDF - 130 KB] is available for download. If you require an official record of Council meeting resolutions, the Minutes are also available online.
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